Day 5- La Berarde

Today we decided, upon the recommendation of our hotel hostess, to bike to La Berarde, a small town at the end of a road in the National Parc Des Ecrins. It follows this beautiful river full of glacial water. The road, although narrow, winding, and steep, is much less traveled, and for a good portion is shaded by trees. We left Le Bourg d'Oisans, and turned right on the Route Nationale toward Briancon. After three miles, we turned right again onto a local highway. The entire ride is 70-75 kilometers if one goes to the end of the road, at La Berarde, and back. The road ends at La Berarde, so one must return by the same route.
After turning off onto the small highway, the road climbs gently through several small towns, then climbs more steeply up the mountain side. The climb shown above is steeper than it looks. We were in our easiest gear, with burning legs, the entire ride. It follows the River, through The National Park called Parc des Ecrins. Ecrin means jewel box, and refers to the numerous mountains peaks which surround the valley. At one point the road leaves the river a begins a series of switchbacks up the mountain. Here, Katherine decided to wait for us by the river, and Spencer and I continued. It was noon, and we promised to turn back at one o' clock. I figured we were about seven miles from La Berarde, and if the road would climb less steeply, we might make it to the end. It was not to be, it took us exactly one hour to go another four miles.
The road follows this wide valley along the River Veneon. It climbs pretty steeply up the entire canyon. It was a more difficult ride than the Alp d'Huez.



This is the view from the end of our ride. You can see where the road now levels off. This peak is called Tete de la Maye. Near the end of our ride, this waterfall was coming down a little side canyon. There were numerous waterfalls and rivulets coming down the mountain. At one o' clock, we reached the part where the road leveled off a bit. I wanted to go to the end in the worst way, but we turned around and headed back down, meeting Katherine at the River. After lunch on the river bank, we returned to our hotel, showered, packed, and left for Provence.
Next up: Arles.